Chapter 128: Minor Achievement in Bronze Casting

It can be said that overnight, Xu Xuan’s cultivation soared, reaching the sixth level of the Qi Refinement stage. The realms of the ancient body cultivators could not be measured by ordinary standards; this was merely the level of the primordial energy within the body. Primordial energy at the sixth level of Qi Refinement could easily overpower the spiritual power of most cultivators of the same rank.

But beyond the primordial energy, Xu Xuan’s physical strength itself had long surpassed the tenth level of Body Refinement.

Primordial energy was a pure force derived from the flesh and bones, so his physical strength and primordial energy complemented each other: possessing sixth-level Qi Refinement energy, Xu Xuan’s physical power was comparable.

Now that his Bronze-Cast Body had almost reached a minor completion, if one were to discuss true strength, Xu Xuan could challenge immortals at the seventh level of Qi Refinement and above.

The next morning, Xu Xuan planned to push forward without pause, spending another day or two in quiet cultivation to bring his Bronze-Cast Body to minor completion.

“Master, there are visitors outside requesting to see you. They say they are your fellow disciples,” the maid Xiu Qing reported at the door.

Xu Xuan stepped out of the Green Mountain Residence and saw four senior disciples from the Wind Feather Sect in the Spirit Garden: Le Feng, Yang Xiao Qian, Yu Qin, and another senior disciple named Wei.

The four stood within the Green Mountain Residence, glancing around with envy yet also a bit of unease.

A residence like the Green Mountain Residence was a level of comfort that even the elders of the Wind Feather Sect rarely enjoyed.

Xu Xuan led them into the Spirit Pavilion, where the maids Xiu Qing and Xiu Yu prepared tea and served snacks with utmost care.

“Junior Brother Xu, since joining the Zhang family, you’ve truly risen to prominence, living such a comfortable life. When will you help us fellow disciples climb up too?” Senior Brother Wei said with a hint of sourness.

Compared to Xu Xuan, they had entered the Eastern family merely as ordinary members, not even considered guests; their daily tasks often involved menial chores.

Upon hearing this, Xu Xuan felt some sympathy; it was clear the Zhang family did not value them highly.

“I’ve heard that once you reach seventh level Qi Refinement, you can become third-tier guests. We don’t mind some hardship, but I feel sorry for Junior Sisters Yu and Yang—both daughters of noble families—I hate to see them suffer so.”

A scar etched on Le Feng’s handsome face hinted at a life of hardship.

“I don’t mind small chores; they’re easier than when we were at the outer gate,” Yang Xiao Qian forced a smile. Standing before the lord of the Green Mountain Residence, her feelings were complicated—a sense of unworthiness clung to her.

Yu Qin was simpler: her clear eyes shone with resolve. “I’m fine, Senior Brother Xu. Don’t worry about me.”

Xu Xuan considered this and said to Yu Qin, “Junior Sister Yu, why don’t you move in here with me? The Green Mountain Residence is spacious enough.”

Within the sect, Yu Qin was the closest in affection to Xu Xuan. Being with her required no psychological defenses—she was as natural and comfortable as a younger sister at home.

Yu Qin’s cheeks flushed as she averted her gaze, nervously clutching her skirt. Beside her, Senior Brothers Wei and Le Feng exchanged a subtle, ambiguous glance.

Xu Xuan smiled and said to the maid, “Xiu Yu, prepare a room.”

“Yes, Master,” Xiu Yu replied promptly.

Yu Qin’s nature was kind and pure but somewhat timid. Xu Xuan did not want her to be bullied within the family. When she had been a true disciple in the sect, she was even bullied by Senior Brother Lin, a registered disciple. Xu Xuan could not bear to see that continue.

Yu Qin bowed her head quietly, giving tacit consent.

The group chatted for a while, mostly about their revenge plans and how to survive within the Zhang family.

But Xu Xuan believed revenge was still far off, and he said solemnly, “Fellow disciples, until you reach the Spirit Refinement stage, thoughts of revenge are best abandoned. In such a wonderful environment, focus on cultivation to increase your strength. The Great Way is endless; the path to the Immortal River cannot be driven by hatred.”

Hearing this, Le Feng and the others nodded repeatedly.

The Immortal River was a legendary realm passed down through generations in the cultivation world, believed in by countless cultivator races. For any cultivator, it was the ultimate dream.

Revenge, for them, was only a goal at this stage of life.

For Xu Xuan, perhaps it was just a minor episode. Journeying to the Immortal River was not only a pursuit of the Great Way but also a search for more mysteries of his past life.

Regarding establishing himself in the Zhang family, Xu Xuan mused, “Though I have a good relationship with the Zhang family’s young master, I currently owe many favors to the family. It’s not easy to ask for help right now. When the time is right, I will surely assist you all in raising your status.”

Le Feng smiled, “Then we’ll trouble Junior Brother Xu. But no need to force it; I believe we can quickly reach the seventh level of Qi Refinement through our own efforts.”

After a while, the group departed, leaving only Yu Qin behind.

“Senior Brother, thank you!” Yu Qin’s eyes sparkled with joy. Moving into the Green Mountain Residence and staying with Xu Xuan dispelled her confusion and hesitation. She felt happy and secure.

“You’re close to breaking into the fifth level of Qi Refinement. Here, take these spirit pills to aid your cultivation.”

Xu Xuan smiled faintly and handed Yu Qin several bottles of second-grade spirit pills.

For ordinary immortals, second-grade spirit pills were a luxury. Yu Qin accepted them shyly, unable to believe her fortune.

She had no idea that Xu Xuan’s gains from the secret realm were a hundredfold greater on the surface.

“Junior Sister, treat this place as your home and me as your brother. You don’t need to hold back on anything.”

Xu Xuan felt an inexplicable fondness for this little junior sister.

Yu Qin was an orphan initially adopted by a small family in Pinghua Town. Because of her kind nature, she was often bullied. After her foster father passed away, and just as the Wind Feather Sect was recruiting disciples, her fate changed.

“Brother?” Yu Qin’s eyes moistened. Her expression first dimmed but then blossomed into radiant joy. Under Xu Xuan’s gentle gaze, she nodded firmly. As an often-bullied orphan, a kind and pure girl, she longed for a caring family and older brother.

Settling into the Green Mountain Residence, Yu Qin quickly cultivated peacefully.

The next day, she broke through to the fifth level of Qi Refinement with calm joy, surpassing Xu Xuan’s expectations.

He had initially thought the second-grade pills were responsible but learned that Yu Qin was still reluctant to consume them, saving them for breaking through the seventh level bottleneck.

Xu Xuan had to admire Yu Qin’s superior spiritual roots. Besides cultivation, he taught her some immortal techniques, which she practiced diligently.

That very night, using fire-elemental spirit materials and the furnace’s true flame, Xu Xuan’s body forging finally reached minor completion of the Bronze-Cast Body.

At this stage, his physical strength leapt again.

As he inhaled softly, his fair skin took on a deep bronze luster, the fine patterns resembling those of refinement arrays.

To test the body’s strength, Xu Xuan asked Yu Qin to cast a small spell.

Hesitant, Yu Qin conjured a flame roughly equivalent to the power of a third-level Qi Refinement spell.

The fire touched Xu Xuan’s arm, emitting a faint sizzling sound before quickly turning into blue smoke and vanishing.

The bronze-hued patterns on Xu Xuan’s skin shimmered faintly before returning to their usual pale glow.

Yu Qin’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. Under Xu Xuan’s urging, she cast her spell with full strength again.

*Puff!*

A thumb-thick arc of electricity struck Xu Xuan, causing him to tremble slightly and grunt softly. Only a thin, inconspicuous scar remained on his skin.

This was a full-power strike at the fifth level of Qi Refinement.

Xu Xuan was quite satisfied with the result, while Yu Qin looked on in disbelief, her gaze strange.

“I’ve only just reached minor completion of the Bronze-Cast Body. Once I achieve full completion, I’ll be able to ignore attacks from Qi Refinement-level foes entirely,” Xu Xuan thought with anticipation.

On his last visit to Huanglong City, he had acquired large amounts of fire-element spirit materials, including a top-grade spirit pill, the Poison Fire Yin-Yang Pill. It was clear that at the Bronze-Cast Body stage, Xu Xuan would be unstoppable.

Beyond the Bronze-Cast Body was the higher Silver Steel Body.

If he reached that level, his flesh would contain unparalleled divine power, automatically generating a protective layer like a fierce gale, granting immunity to magical attacks on a whole new level. When struck, his body could even reflect damage back to the attacker.

Xu Xuan believed that if he cultivated to the Silver Steel Body, he could easily dominate the Huanglong City region—unless facing a grandmaster of pill cultivation.

“Body forging is just one ancient method of cultivation. There are higher stages too: Meridian Clearing, Shattering, Annihilation… The Meridian Clearing stage can be cultivated as early as Spirit Refinement…”

Xu Xuan racked his brains, recalling the ancient body cultivation methods.

As his cultivation increased, more fragments of memories from the sea of memories flooded his mind, bringing new insights and broadening his horizons.

At this point, memories of his past life extended to around the age of twenty.

According to these memories, at twenty, he was already planning to break into the elusive Condensation Core stage, aiming to reach the Golden Core path before thirty.

Drawing on the past life’s cultivation insights not only strengthened Xu Xuan himself but also allowed him to guide Yu Qin.

The next morning, after finishing his spiritual food, Xu Xuan prepared to cultivate as usual.

“Brother Xu,” a warm voice called outside. Zhang Feng entered the Green Mountain Residence with several other family scions.

Xu Xuan promptly rose to greet them.

Besides Zhang Feng, there was his cousin Lin Hui.

“Tsk, tsk, the environment here is really nice. Even some Spirit Refinement elders in the family rarely get such treatment. How could others with cultivation equivalent to Xu Xuan accept this without jealousy?” Lin Hui said, his tone ambiguous—whether praise or sarcasm was unclear.

Xu Xuan treated him coolly and sat across from Zhang Feng.

During the conversation, Xu Xuan noticed a burly man standing beside Lin Hui—a muscular figure like forged bronze, with sharp eyes that had been fixed on Xu Xuan since entering the residence, never moving.

Xu Xuan felt a pressure emanating from him, silently scrutinizing the man’s powerful aura. It was both familiar and alien at the same time.